ram250098
Well-Known Member
I have no clue what this is or does, the red button on top is just that a button that can be pressed it is not a dial.
Help.
AL
Help.
AL
What is this?
- Thread starter ram250098
- Start date
Joe mama
Active Member
That is a seat belt interlock relay. When working properly, your car should'nt start unless the seat belt is buckled.(If there is weight in the drivers seat) I belive this button will bypass the seat switch. If your car starts without the seat belt buckled, someone may have pass the seat switch. I can't remember you either had to unplug the seat switch or jump the connector. It's been a long time since I seen one !
ram250098
Well-Known Member
Thanks Joe, but what would be the reason for the button? If the button turned it off what is the point LOL. Or could it be a reset?
AL
AL
Joe mama
Active Member
Found this on the net. Hope it will help explain better than I can.
This is a somewhat obscure bit of automobilia, used only in the 1974 model year. Those of us afflicted with a car of this vintage (My Other Mopar is a '74) have oft butted heads with this beast. Basically, there is a weight sensor underneath the seats that triggers the seat belts switch to deactivate the ignition unless the belts are buckled. From what I know of this system, it includes the switches in the seatbelts, the weight sensors under the seats, and a relay mounted on the firewall.
The firewall mounted relay should have a red button on it; if the car is dead (ie starter doesn't make any noise) you may have to press the red button down; this will reset whatever it is that's inside; I think its some sort of circuit breaker.
The easy (perhaps intentionally?) way to defeat the system is to simply unplug the sensors on the seat/belt. Without any input, the default condition is to let the car start.
The idea behind the red button on the firewall was convenience for the mechanic working on the car, using the button, the car can be started without getting in and buckling up. Say for instance the mechanic was going to check the vehicle's timing, he would get his timing light all hooked up, push the red button on the firewall, reach through the window (or open door) and start the car. The red button is a one start per button push deal, preventing it's use to circumvent the seatbelt interlock system.
The reason the safety mechanism is only on '74 is -- The lawmakers mandated it (for '74) and then when they got their new cars they hated it so they repealed it for '75.
This is a somewhat obscure bit of automobilia, used only in the 1974 model year. Those of us afflicted with a car of this vintage (My Other Mopar is a '74) have oft butted heads with this beast. Basically, there is a weight sensor underneath the seats that triggers the seat belts switch to deactivate the ignition unless the belts are buckled. From what I know of this system, it includes the switches in the seatbelts, the weight sensors under the seats, and a relay mounted on the firewall.
The firewall mounted relay should have a red button on it; if the car is dead (ie starter doesn't make any noise) you may have to press the red button down; this will reset whatever it is that's inside; I think its some sort of circuit breaker.
The easy (perhaps intentionally?) way to defeat the system is to simply unplug the sensors on the seat/belt. Without any input, the default condition is to let the car start.
The idea behind the red button on the firewall was convenience for the mechanic working on the car, using the button, the car can be started without getting in and buckling up. Say for instance the mechanic was going to check the vehicle's timing, he would get his timing light all hooked up, push the red button on the firewall, reach through the window (or open door) and start the car. The red button is a one start per button push deal, preventing it's use to circumvent the seatbelt interlock system.
The reason the safety mechanism is only on '74 is -- The lawmakers mandated it (for '74) and then when they got their new cars they hated it so they repealed it for '75.
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